“And the bouquet he sent you?”
“I am certain he sent them as a courtesy to every lady he has graced with his attentions.”
“And the ride to Hyde Park?”
Alarmingly, a throb started, and she rubbed her forehead gently. Her mother’s expression softened.
“I will summon the carriage—”
“Oh, mama, please, I can return home alone and send it back for you. There is no need to cut your enjoyment short.”
Her mother hesitated. “Are you certain you’ll be well alone, my dear?”
She smiled reassuringly. “Yes, mama. I shall have some tea and then head to bed right away for a good rest.”
Her mother escorted her from the ball, called for the carriage and waited with Pippa for it to arrive. She waited until Pippa had been escorted inside it before she turned away and returned inside. The carriage lurched forward, and thankfully there was no traffic to impede their travels. She leaned her head back on the squabs, not liking the jumble of emotions tearing through her chest.
The ache behind her eyes eased, and Pippa thought she might ask her mother to return to Bath even earlier. Or perhaps she could remind William of the connection between them. Pippa scowled, recalling how perfect he looked dancing with Lady Priscilla.
Pippa sat up as the carriage slowed. Why were they stopping? Surely, they had not yet reached home. Brushing aside the carriage curtains, Pippa peered outside, gasping when she noted a dark figure walking toward their equipage. The door wrenched open and the marquess entered, shrinking the space with his presence. Her heart felt as if it would jump from her chest. “Whatever are you doing?”
His gaze scanned over her, as if assuring himself she was well. It did not warm her, and she narrowed her gaze at him.
“Come with me.”
The earth fell from beneath her, and Pippa’s heart pounded an erratic rhythm. “Have you taken leave of your senses?”
“Perhaps,” he said with an enigmatic smile. “You rushed from the ball as if the devil was at your hells.”
“I was bored,” she said with chilling incivility. “Nor did I care to watch you dance another set with another lady.”
He stared at her for several seconds. “I want to speak with you in privacy.”
“Why?”
He canted his head. “A question I have asked myself many days; the simple answer is that I miss conversing with you. Desperately.”
Her heart once again stuttered fiercely inside her chest. “I…”
“My carriage is waiting for you.”
“I cannot! The coachman and—”
“I’ve already bribed them with a fortune, and veiled threats of what I will do to them should your family get wind of this. I also told them a secret. I thought that was what cinched the deal.”
She choked on the air. “What? What secret?”
“That my intentions are entirely honorable even if my methods are questionable.”
God, why was she so unspeakably thrilled? That dangerous smile curved his mouth, and he held out his hand. Pippa hesitated, her breath trembling as she exhaled. The melancholia that had been weighing on her heart had banished and every part of her body and soul felt alive. She placed her hand in his and allowed him to escort her down from the carriage. The coachman and the footman looked ahead, and she bid them to return to the ball and await her mother.
Pippa felt as if she was being far too reckless and daring but could not stop herself from rushing toward the carriage with the marquess. Thankfully the streets were empty, and she realized he must have perfectly timed their paths crossing.
Oh, God, what am I doing?
She went up into his carriage and sat, waiting for him to enter. He said something indecipherable to his coachman, before he entered, and the carriage rumbled away.
“William, what—”